Father’s Do Not: Reflection #3

‘Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger…’ (Ephesians 6:4). Inconsistent discipline confuses children and provokes anger.

It’s Saturday afternoon and all is right with the world. Dad is relaxed and enjoying his little boy who is jumping off a chair in their lounge. Dad says, ‘Well done. Try again and you might get a world record!’ Father and son are having fun together.

It’s Sunday afternoon. The family have been missing church and the pastor has come to visit. The atmosphere is uncomfortable. Dad is uptight. Trying to relieve things, his son climbs on the chair and says, ‘Look at this. I’m so good at jumping that Dad thinks I will get a world record!’ Dad erupts in anger, ‘Get off that chair. Go to your room. We don’t do that in my house.’

That may not matter much if it only happens once, but if it becomes a pattern, the little boy will grow up with a simmering anger towards his father.

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